Monday, April 30, 2007

New Brewers pitcher goes to the mound for the first time not only against his former team, but just a day after he lost a close friend and teammate Josh Hancock. The Cardinals take the field for the first time since losing teammate Josh Hancock in an automobile accident and just couldn't connect against Jeff Suppan. Suppan, who is now 4-2 with a 2.55 ERA, pitched his best performance of the year, and not only that, threw his first complete game since 2003. With help from Prince Fielder, who was 2-4 with a double and homerun, and two RBI performances from Johnny Estrada and Kevin Mench, the Brewers were able to improve to 16-9, dropping the Cardinals to 10-14. Now you may think it is early and the this happens every year, where the Brewers or Reds dominate the first month and then their lead quickly diminishes, but you are mistaken. The Brewers revamped their team and have young players who are starting to breakout. While the Cardinals, although having been hit with this terrible loss, are lacking quality pitching. Same with the Astros, who bargained on Woody Williams, who is 0-4 on the year. The Cubs have had great outings from their starters, but their relievers can't seem to hold any leads. But the Brewers have a strong staff, and great hitting, led by Prince Fielder, with help from Geoff Jenkins. Although it is still somewhat early, the Brewers may have sole possession of the lead for the next months to come.

Vanderbilt pitcher and pitching prospect David Price was nice enough to sit down and answer some questions for MLB Rumors through email. This season, the Vanderbilt Commodores are 39-8, 15-6 SEC. Jim Callis over at Baseball America believes that the consensus around baseball is that Price is the best prospect coming into the draft, but knows the draft has a lot of depth. The Devil Rays have usually gone towards hitting, but Price is too hard to pass up. He has been clocked at hitting 98 on the radar gun, with a slider topping at 88. Not only that, but he has outstanding control. I would like to thank him again for donating his time to answer these questions.

ELI: What is it like pitching in Tennessee, where you grew up?

DAVID: Pitching in Tennessee where I grew up is awesome. That's why I went to Vandy so people that watched me grow up and play baseball would still be able to do that.

ELI: Do you notice scouts during games? Does it bother you?

DAVID: No that's more of something you notice when you are in high school. Now you tune that stuff out and you never even see them. So no it does not bother me.

ELI: Now that the draft is a month away, are you looking forward to potentially going pro?

DAVID: Right now, no. My mind is completely set on Vanderbilt Baseball and until our season is over it will not be on professional baseball.ELI: Growing up in a state where there is no baseball team, do you have a favorite baseball team?

DAVID: Yes my favorite team was the Braves. I guess because they are good and were the closest team to me.ELI: If you weren't a pitcher, what position would you be?

DAVID: Somewhere in the outfield.

ELI: Were you always a pitcher, when did you start playing?

DAVID: I started playing when I was 2 and a half. I would play by myself in the back yard. I guess I started pitching around the age of 10 or 11.

ELI: Do you have a favorite player now?

DAVID: D Train [Dontrelle Willis]

ELI: How's Tim Corbin? Do you think he has molded you into the player you are over the past three years?

DAVID: Yes definitely. He is the man. He just has that something special about him that makes you want to give 110% percent every practice and every game.

ELI: You wear number 14? Is that number significant?

DAVID: No, that is just the number they gave me.

ELI: How do upperclassmen treat the younger guys? Do they embrace them and help them? Or do they help them but keep to themselves?

DAVID: Here at Vanderbilt, we don't put players into classes. Everyone here is looked as equals and everyone acts like the same. Upperclassmen help the younger guys out and the younger guys can also help the upperclassmen out.

ELI: What is the chemistry like in the clubhouse?

DAVID: Unreal. This is the best team I have ever played on. Everyone in there has one common goal and that is to win Omaha.ELI: Is there anywhere you hope to go before the draft?

Early Sunday morning, Cardinals relief pitcher Josh Hancock was killed in an automobile accident. The team was informed early this morning and tonight's game against the Cubs has been postponed. Hancock, 29, has been apart of the Cardinals family since Febuary 2006, helped them win the World Series last year. "The Cardinals ask that all fans join the team in offering their prayers and condolences to Josh Hancock's family on this very sad day for the Cardinals and Major League Baseball." This season, Hancock was 0-1 with a 3.55 ERA. Since 2002, Johnson is 9-7 with 4.20 ERA with the Red Sox, Phillies, Reds, and Cardinals.

Over at MLB Rumors: Japan's Fab Four, I discuss KeiIgawa's outing and how it will effect the Yankees. Also, Jeff Karstens season ended as fast as it started: He started the season on the DL, got in one below average outing, and after one pitch today, he's back on it. He is expected to be out at least a month, possibly two. Anyways, as a MLB Rumors Insider, the site indicates that the Yankees will discuss which minor leaguer to call up, and if they should move Igawa back to the rotation after his solid outing. Check it out...

Saturday, April 28, 2007

The St. Louis Post Dispatch had an article on the cover of their newspaper earlier this week discussing, more like poking fun at the Cubs and how they haven't been to a World Series in nearly a century. It even went to say that after spending 300 million dollars, the Cubs are still chasing the Cardinals. Later that day, the Cardinals were beat by former Cardinal Jason Marquis and the Cubs 5-3, and after the game, manager Tony LaRussa expressed his apologies to the Cubs, and said he had nothing to do with it. He also refused to answer any questions from Dispatch reporters. And today, Carlos Zambrano, Jacque Jones, and company went on to beat the Cardinals 8-1. Zambrano pitched seven innings, giving up one earned run, and struck out two. Jacque Jones was a homerun away from the cycle, going 3-4 with 4 RBI. On the Cardinals side, Adam Wainwright struggled, going 4.1 innings giving up six earned runs. The Cubs improve to 10-13 and push the Cardinals to 10-13. The Cubs go for the sweep tomorrow on ESPN at 6:55 p.m. CT, Rich Hill for the Cubs and Kip Wells for the Cardinals.

I have created a group of people that have websites or blogs like me, that are hoping to get extra attention for their site. On the right side of the blog, There is a group of MLB Rumors Insiders that will get their links separated from the bigger group, get posts referring to their site, and a free gift from MLB Rumors for joining. If you are interested in becoming an MLB Insider, email me at mlbrumors@gmail.com.

Benefits- Way to get people to your site from a bigger site.- Constant coverage.- More credit as a blogger or designer from readers around the word.

Negatives- If you sign up, must keep blog up and running (won't end membership, but won't get coverage if you don't update it)

Cost- In order to become a member, you must mail $3 dollars/month to be a member.

Special Offers- If you email me and sign up before May 1st, your one year membership becomes $1.00 a month for the first year and $2.00 a month for life.

George Steinbrenner is breathing down Joe Torre's back as the Yankees lose yet another game, making that seven straight losses. However, this seems to be "George Being George." Steinbrenner has threatened to fire Torre the past two years after playoff eliminations, but has balked at it. However, yesterday, word from Tampa was Steinbrenner was hinting at a change. Torre is in the last year of his contract, and it is possible, that if they lose again, he could be fired before his contract ends this season. Their are two candidates in the Yankees organization that could replace Torre: Hitting Coach Don Mattingly or Announcer Joe Torre. In past years, the blame has always come down on the managers. For example, Dusty Baker got fired after only winning 66 games. While the pitching coach, hitting coach, were left nameless in all articles discussing the faults. During this seven game skid, the Yankees have been outscored 33-54. Shouldn't the blame fall on the Don Mattingly for that? This season, the Yankees team ERA is 5.12, 27th overall. Should the blame fall on Ron Guidry for that? All I know is the Yankees need someone to blame now and right now, it is Joe Torre. But the chances of the Yankees dropping one of the best managers is sports history is highly unlikely. But if they do fire Torre, it could trigger a ripple effect and the Reds might fire Jerry Narron to try and sign Torre? Or the Mariners firing Mike Hargrove to take their chance at him as well?

I have been nominated as one of the Best Sports Blogs for Bloggers Choice Awards and I encourage all of my readers to take five minutes of their time to go and vote for me. It would mean so much to me.

Sandy Koufax was taken in the draft for the inaugural season of the Israel Baseball League. "His selection is a tribute to the esteem with which he is held by everyone associated with this league," said former big leaguerAretShamsky, who will manage the Miracle. "It's been 41 years between starts for him. If he's rested and ready to take the mound again, we want him on our team." The 45-game season begins in late June. The draft included nine nations and expect at least 100 Israeli citizens to be participating this season. The first pick was Aaron Levin, who played for Cuesta Community College and he was also selected by Modi'in.

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

It does not surprise many, but Mark Prior had successful arthroscopic surgery and is done for the season. The team expects him to be ready to pitch next spring. For those of us who know Prior however, it is unlikely we will see him until May or June of 2008. "It's not career-ending," Hendry said Wednesday. "[Andrews] felt optimistic that he would be able to pitch next year. A couple hours after surgery, [Andrews] wasn't going to give you a time frame. He didn't think there was anything significant to stop Mark from pursuing his career, and at his age, should not have a problem responding and coming back after probably a strenuous rehab." Prior, 26, has been on the disabled list every year since 2002, and it goes on this year and most likely next year as well.

Although I love seeing Alex Rodriguez having a great year, it has become very annoying hearing every couple of weeks: I'm Staying. "I want to stay in New York, no matter what," said Rodriguez, who can become a free agent following this season and leave $81 million on the table. However, back on March 14th, we heard the same thing from Rodriguez, just in a different place and under different context: "I would love to finish my career here." And back in October, Brian Cashman told reporters that "He wants to stay here..." So, have we had enough yet? Alex Rodriguez is staying in New York, and nothing has changed on the situation, at all. The Yankees organization wants him and it is obvious A-Rod feels the same way. Despite this controversy that frustrates many, Rodriguez is off to a great year, and has belted fourteen homeruns this season. Bonds hopes he can hit one hundred, however playing in New York, you're bound to slump at least once.

The Angels and closer Francisco Rodriguez's agent, Paul Kinzer, have started contract discussions, but are saying nothing is serious. "Right now we're just exploring talks and structure, but we're not close on anything," Kinzer said. "We'll see what happens. In the next couple of weeks we'll start getting more serious." The good thing about the deal however is both sides really want to get a deal done. "Hopefully, one of these days I'll get the same opportunity he has to get locked up," Rodriguez said. "This is the place I want to be. ... I would love to stay here for hopefully the rest of my career." There is no deadline on the deal, both sides just hope to get something done soon rather than later. Rodriguez, 25, has collected six saves this season, and has struck out twelve. Career wise, he has saved 113 out of a possible 132, and has a career ERA of 2.33. The Angels are probably looking at a five to six year deal for their closer, but it could be closer to ten.

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Randy Johnson returned to the mound for the Diamondbacks this season for the first time sine 2004 and got worked. Randy Johnson, six months off of back surgery, pitched five innings, giving up six earned runs, walked four, and struck out seven, as the Diamondbacks are losing to the Padres 10-5. This could be a start for Johnson just getting on track. From what I noticed from the tape, Johnson was throwing strikes that looked like strikes, and balls that look like balls. That will change as he gets more comfortable on the mound, but that usually happens for a new pitcher in his debut back from a injury, especially after a couple rehab assignments.